An Open Russia coordinator and an activist from Navalny's headquarters from Pskov, detained in a drug trafficking case, went on a hunger strike.

The coordinator of the Open Russia movement in Pskov, Liya Milushkina, and her husband, an activist of Navalny’s local headquarters, Artem Milushkin, who were detained today on suspicion of selling drugs on a large scale (Part 4 of Article 228.1 of the Criminal Code), went on a hunger strike. This is reported by the Pskov Province; The information was confirmed in an interview with MBKh Media by lawyer Tatyana Martynova.

“Only an hour ago (the message was published at 21:58 Moscow time - MZ) Artem’s lawyer Vladimir Danilov was able to meet with him. Now the question is being decided whether both will undergo the procedure of washing off their hands,” the Pskov Province report says.

The publication writes that the Milushkins have two children, and also have three dogs, six cats and a jackdaw at home, who are looked after by friends, relatives and animal rights activists. Court hearings regarding the suppression will take place tomorrow morning.

After their arrest, the couple were charged with selling drugs on a large scale. They do not admit guilt, calling the detention politically motivated and the drugs in question planted.

Artem Milushkin was detained by police in November 2018, when he was going to a rally he had organized against police brutality and corruption. The activist said that the operatives then threatened to plant drugs on him.